What is RAYNET


The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network ( RAYNET ) is a national body of radio Amateurs who are pledged to provide communications in times of emergency & disaster.

Members are organised into groups usually covering local government districts. In Cheshire this means that there is a West Group covering Chester, Ellesmere Port & Neston Council Areas; East Group covers Macclesfield & Congleton whilst Central Group has Vale Royal, Warrington & Halton and Crewe & Nantwich districts to cover. Under the terms of their licence, radio amateurs are not usually permitted to pass messages for third parties. However following the East Coast Floods disaster in 1953 & many other occasions since then , where radio amateurs have proved their worth in passing messages where other systems have failed or become overloaded agreements have been reached where radio amateurs are now permitted to pass messages on behalf of 'User Services'. The list of user services has increased over the years and now includes the British Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, St. Andrews Ambulance Association, local Emergency Planning Officers and any UK Police, fire or ambulance service, health authority, government department or public utility.

For more information about RAYNET please go to the National RAYNET web pages.


Back to Cheshire RAYNET Home Page | Go to the National RAYNET web page. 


Last Modified on 22/12/03